For every business, you want to ensure everything is in order, including your finances. Running a business is hard enough, but doing your accounting? That can be downright daunting. This is why it’s important to find the best accounting professionals possible. How do you make the right choice among many choices? Here are 5 steps to help you find top accounting professionals for your business.
1. Define What You Need
First, consider your business needs from an accounting standpoint. Do you need someone to handle your payroll? Do you need someone to prepare your taxes? Do you need someone to do both? Once you know what services you need, finding the right accountant for the job will be much easier.
For example, if you need someone to handle your payroll, you’ll want to find an accountant specializing in payroll services. On the other hand, if you need help preparing your taxes, you’ll want to find an accountant with experience.
Defining what you need from an accounting standpoint will help narrow your search and make finding the right professional for your business easier.
2. Do Your Research
The next step is to do your research. Start by asking your friends, family, and colleagues if they know of any good accounting professionals in your area.
After getting a few names, take the time to research each one. Check out their website and see what services they offer. Read reviews from other businesses.
Research helps you weed out the good from the bad and make it easier to find an accountant that’s a good fit for your business.
For a wider pool of candidates, attend local business networking events and get to know some of the accounting professionals that are in attendance.
Furthermore, accounting recruiters are also a great resource for finding top accounting professionals. They work with businesses of all sizes to help them find the right accountant for their needs.
3. Screen And Shortlist Candidates For Interview
After researching and narrowing down your options, it’s time to start screening them. The best way to do this is by setting up a phone call or video chat to get to know them.
During the call, ask about their experience, what services they offer, and how much they charge. This will help you better understand who they are and what they can do for your business.
After the call, it’s time to shortlist them for an interview. Choose the top that you think would be the best fit for your business and schedule an in-person meeting.
4. Interview Candidates
An interview is the best way to get to know an accountant and see if they’re a good fit for your business.
During the interview, ask about their experience, what services they offer, how much they charge, and anything else important to you. You should also take the time to ask them about their accounting software knowledge and see if they’re comfortable using it.
During the interview, ask each candidate the same set of questions. This will help you compare them and determine the best fit when looking to fill vacancies for your under-staffed business.
Some issues you may want to ask include:
- Tell me about your experience working with businesses like mine.
- What services do you offer?
- How much do you charge?
- Do you have experience using accounting software like QuickBooks or Xero?
- Tell me about when you had to deal with a difficult client. How did you handle it?
- Tell me about when you had to go above and beyond for a client. What did you do?
5. Make A Decision
After the interview, it’s time to choose the best candidate. Consider their experience, what they can offer, how much they charge, and your gut feeling. Once you’ve made your decision, it’s time to hire them.
The final step is to negotiate their contract. Be sure to discuss their hourly rate, what services they’ll be providing, and when you expect them to start once you’ve both agreed on the terms.
Hiring an accountant is a big decision. By following these steps, you’ll be sure to find the best possible candidate for your business. Ensure a smooth transition by researching, screening candidates, and negotiating a contract. By taking the time to do this, you’ll be sure to find an accountant that’s a good fit for your business and can help you take it to the next level.
